Healthy Eating Habits: Starting From An Early Age

How much food should I offer my baby?

All babies are different. Watch for signs of being full – some babies turn their heads away. As your baby becomes more active, you will need to offer small amounts of food often.

Can my baby eat the vegetables cooked for the family dinner?

Babies do not need salt added to their their food. If you use salt when you cook the family's vegetables, cook all of the vegetables without salt, remove your baby's meal and then add salt to the vegetables for the rest of the family.

My baby seems to like sweet foods best - what should I do?

Healthy habits begin early, and we can encourage children to like fresh plain foods. Offer water instead of sweet drinks and don’t add sugar or honey to fruit or cereals.

Why does my baby need to eat iron-rich foods? 

Iron is especially important to keep blood and brain cells healthy. Iron helps children to learn. Lean meat, chicken and fish contain lots of iron, and vegetables and fruit help the body to absorb the iron. Don’t give babies and children tea to drink, as it contains substances that stop iron from being absorbed.

Should babies have extra vitamins? 

Most babies can get all the vitamins they need from breast milk, infant formula and food; however, some babies may not get enough Vitamin D.

See Vitamin D and your baby